Schools sports equipment gift
Chance to develop local talent
Eight local schools benefited from the Global Sports Mentorship Programme (GSMP) when an official handover of sports equipment was facilitated by the first certified female soccer referee in SA, Akhona Makalima, and Wheelchair Tennis SA founding member Patrick Selepe.
Makalima officiates for Fifa, the Premier Soccer League, the Sasol Women’s League and the South African Football Association (Safa) and advocates for women in sport.
She said GSMP was a USbased organisation that helped women and people with disabilities to participate in sport, gave them opportunities and helped women to use sport as a tool to develop the economy. She said through its two pillars, which focus on gender equality and disability rights, delegates from around the world come together to share action plans and ways to advance both focus areas.
“We are mentored by executive women in the US, we go back to our countries and start implementing our action plan. We want to give people an opportunity to play sport.
“We know people have limited resources, so we came to deliver the equipment. We want to come back and teach them how to use the equipment, how to identify skills and how to nurture, develop and maintain it for the betterment of the country and the people.”
Although she was born in Ngqamakwe, Makalima said Komani held a special place in her heart as she was identified and developed in this community. “Everything I do and have now, started in Komani. I want to collaborate with the schools here and in Ngqamakwe where we all work together with teachers and pupils, share ideas, open opportunities and develop young talent among girls and boys. I am here to pass on all I have and share all the experiences in this community.”
The Komani Veterans were among the beneficiaries and Makalima praised the group for their charitable work. “They continue to encourage people to play football so this is our way of encouraging them to continue,” she said.
St Theresa’s, Van Coller, Edlelweni, Mpendulo, Lukhanji, Nonesi, Thembelihle and Louis
Rex primary school were those identified to benefit from the programme.
St Theresa’s Primary principal Msondezi Bulu, who received the equipment on behalf of his school, said the
donation was a sign of patriotism and proof that people and schools were evolving through people like Makalima and her team.
Department of education extra-curricular sports
programmes co-ordinator Nomawethu Ncilitwa said:
“We are humbled and thankful for the sports equipment. The gratitude is not only for us, but for the pupils who will use this equipment. It
is not every day that we are gifted. The development of pupils does not only depend on school knowledge, but also on extramural activities. This equipment will contribute towards that development.”